Why Flies? Inexpensive Public Engagement Exercises to Explain the Value of Basic Biomedical Research on "Drosophila melanogaster"

Autor/inn/en	Pulver, Stefan R.; Cognigni, Paola; Denholm, Barry; Fabre, Caroline; Gu, Wendy X. W.; Linneweber, Gerit; Prieto-Godino, Lucia; Urbancic, Vasja; Zwart, Maarten; Miguel-Aliaga, Irene
Titel	Why Flies? Inexpensive Public Engagement Exercises to Explain the Value of Basic Biomedical Research on "Drosophila melanogaster"
Quelle	In: Advances in Physiology Education, 35 (2011) 4, S.384-392 (9 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1043-4046
DOI	10.1152/advan.00045.2011
Schlagwörter	Feedback (Response); Animals; Entomology; Physiology; Genetics; Biomedicine; Biology; Research; Teaching Methods; Science Education; Higher Education; Science Activities; Foreign Countries; College Science; United Kingdom + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Animal; Tier; Tiere; Entomologie; Physiologie; Humangenetik; Biomedizin; Biologie; Forschung; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Naturwissenschaftliche Bildung; Hochschulbildung; Hochschulsystem; Hochschulwesen; Ausland; Großbritannien
Abstract	Invertebrate model organisms are powerful systems for uncovering conserved principles of animal biology. Despite widespread use in scientific communities, invertebrate research is often severely undervalued by laypeople. Here, we present a set of simple, inexpensive public outreach exercises aimed at explaining to the public why basic research on one particular invertebrate, the insect "Drosophila melanogaster", is valuable. First, we designed seven teaching modules that highlight cutting-edge research in "Drosophila" genetics, metabolism, physiology, and behavior. We then implemented these exercises in a public outreach event that included both children and adults. Quantitative evaluation of participant feedback suggests that these exercises (1) teach principles of animal biology, (2) help laypeople better understand why researchers study fruit flies, and (3) are effective over a wide range of age groups. Overall, this work provides a blueprint for how to use "Drosophila" as a vehicle for increasing public awareness and appreciation of basic research on genetically tractable insects in particular and invertebrates in general. (Contains 4 figures and 1 footnote.) (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	American Physiological Society. 9650 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20814-3991. Tel: 301-634-7164; Fax: 301-634-7241; e-mail: webmaster@the-aps.org; Web site: http://advan.physiology.org/
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10